Some of the biggest names in music turned out to honor Taylor Hawkins during Foo Fighters’ all-star tribute concert at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday. By night’s end, however, the most memorable performances came courtesy of a pair of newcomers — albeit who have some legendary rock music pedigree.
Shane Hawkins, Taylor’s 16-year-old son, filled in for his father during Foo Fighters’ penultimate performance of the night — a powerful rendition of “My Hero.” Young Shane beat the kit with the forcefulness of two drummers, his father no doubt playing along in spirit.
Earlier in the evening, Dave Chappelle shared an anecdote about the time he met Shane backstage at a past Foo Fighters concert. “I met a kid, who must have been 12 or 13 years old, and I asked him, cause he had skate shoes on, if he skated. And he said, ‘I don’t skate because I don’t want to hurt my arm.’ And I said what kind of answer is that? A simple yes or no would have sufficed. The kid said, ‘I want to be a drummer, like my father.’ In that room, in Madison Square Garden, even though I met Foo Fighters many nights, I felt like I met [Taylor] for the first time… It was my first time seeing [Taylor] being a dad. And what a cool fucking dad.”
Taylor Hawkins’ 16-year-old son, Shane, does his father proud as he sits behind the kit for @FooFighters‘ performance of “My Hero.”#FooFighters #TaylorHawkinsTributepic.twitter.com/PU705CpO2R
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— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) September 3, 2022
Meanwhile, Dave Grohl’s 16-year-old daughter, Violet, turned in a trio of impressive performances. She sang lead on covers of Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye” and “Grace” with the backing of her father, Greg Kurstin, Alain Johannes, Chris Chaney, and Jason Falkner. She also fronted a brilliant rendition of “Valerie,” a song by The Zutons (and made famous by Amy Winehouse) with accompaniment from Mark Ronson, Chaney, and Falkner.
violet grohl with his dad dave grohl playing last goodbye in tribute of taylor hawkins 🖤 pic.twitter.com/7rcMI7Tymt
— jeff buckley archive (@jbuckleyarchive) September 3, 2022
Watch Violet Grohl team up with Mark Ronson, Chris Chaney, and Jason Falkner to cover Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie”: pic.twitter.com/kJhLmVebtN#FooFighters #TaylorHawkinsTribute
— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) September 3, 2022
12-year-old musical prodigy Nandi Bushell also made a memorable appearance during the concert, as she sat in with Foo Fighters during “Learn to Fly.”
Nothing to see here but 10 year old Nandi Bushell channeling Taylor Hawkins while playing with the Foo Fighters in Wembley Arena in front if 60K people. Yes, I said 10 years old. #taylorhawkinstribute 🥲😃🤯 pic.twitter.com/fRsLQR6W6f
Advertisement— Cindy McNary #TeamNormal (@Nadomom) September 3, 2022
Needless to say, the kids are alright.